Harassed, rape victim sets herself on fire in Bhopal

Harassed after being raped by two youths, a 16-year old girl on Wednesday set herself afire in Barkheda Gird village under Bajranggarh police station in Guna district. The victim has reportedly suffered 90% burns. Police have arrested one of the accused, Sonu Sehariya, while the other is still at large.

Harassed after being raped by two youths, a 16-year old girl on Wednesday set herself afire in Barkheda Gird village under Bajranggarh police station in Guna district. The victim has reportedly suffered 90% burns. Police have arrested one of the accused, Sonu Sehariya, while the other is still at large.

SP KC Jain said the victim was raped by Sonu Sehariya and Sonu Sen about two days ago. The police would arrest the other accused soon, he claimed.

Sources said the accused had been teasing the victim for a long time. About two days ago, they found the girl alone and raped her. Later, they threatened her with dire consequences if she dared to disclose the crime to anyone.

But the victim mustered courage and informed her mother about the incident. Later, they lodged an FIR with Bajranggarh police station. After the incident, the accused got infuriated and started molesting the girl.

On Wednesday also, Sonu Sehariya threatened the girl with dire consequences while she went to fetch water from a nearby hand pump. The girl came back to her home and set herself on fire after pouring kerosene. She was rushed to the district hospital where her condition was reported to be critical. The victim’s family blamed the police for not taking action on time.